Once married, a woman was expected to stay at home cooking and cleaning
Couldn't own property
Married women rarely had jobs
If they did work, their earnings automatically went to their husband
Generally married between the age of 20 and 22
Being a mother was considered the most important contribution a woman could make to her family and nation
A woman was expected to give up everything for her child or husband
A women's political standing depended on her marital status
The Role of a Man in Marriage
Control the finances
Average age of marriage was 26
Provide for his wife and children
He would be held responsible for any crimes committed by his wife
Divorce Rate
3-7%
Divorce Laws
The law that originally allowed fathers full custody of children following a divorce slowly changed, allowing women the ability to see their children.
Women had a limited ability to divorce her husband
If a man wanted to divorce his wife he had to prove adultery
Woman could not divorce even if she could prove adultery
A divorced woman became a social pariah
The man could prevent the woman from ever seeing her children again after the divorce
Marriage: Then and Now
In older times, when marriage was more of a business arrangement, love and marriage were seen as "Incompatible" (The Week), while modern day marriages are based on love
Before, women were subordinate to men in marriage, now women are equal
When marriage became more centered around happiness, the option of divorce increased in popularity.
What are common values regarding marriage in small town New England in the late 1800s
-Marriage was a symbol of adulthood
-Women were expected to marry
-Marriage was sacred
What are beliefs regarding divorce?
-A woman had to have multiple grounds before accusing of adultery
-Divorce was rarely allowed for the wife unless there was abuse, adultery and/or absence, only if it was proven
At what age did people customarily get married?
-Between the ages of 20 and 22
Why did people customarily get married?
-Women knew they would be financially provided for
-Men wanted a companion
How do these values contrast with common values regarding marriage in 2010?
-Unmarried women in the 1800s were looked down upon, and women were generally more dependent on a man for support, while in 2010 women are more independent.
How did religion impact people’s marriage decisions? What were other factors the influenced marriage?
-Women were urged to resist men's urges so they would not viewed as only objects but Christian women
Did tension between individual desire and personal obligation fuel decisions regarding marriage?
-Yes, desire is less important than obligation
Background Research:
What are common values regarding marriage in small town New England in the late 1800s
-Marriage was a symbol of adulthood
-Women were expected to marry
-Marriage was sacred
What are beliefs regarding divorce?
-A woman had to have multiple grounds before accusing of adultery
-Divorce was rarely allowed for the wife unless there was abuse, adultery and/or absence, only if it was proven
At what age did people customarily get married?
-Between the ages of 20 and 22
Why did people customarily get married?
-Women knew they would be financially provided for
-Men wanted a companion
How do these values contrast with common values regarding marriage in 2010?
-Unmarried women in the 1800s were looked down upon, and women were generally more dependent on a man for support, while in 2010 women are more independent.
How did religion impact people’s marriage decisions? What were other factors the influenced marriage?
-Women were urged to resist men's urges so they would not viewed as only objects but Christian women
Did tension between individual desire and personal obligation fuel decisions regarding marriage?
-Yes, desire is less important than obligation
http://www.loyno.edu/~kchopin/new/women/motherhood.html
http://www.thebirdtree.co.uk/showmedia.php?mediaID=66
http://theweek.com/articles/475141/how-marriage-changed-over-centuries